| What | Alice Springs Races |
| Where | Pioneer Park Racecourse – Stuart Hwy, Connellan NT 0870 |
| When | Sunday, December 4, 2022 |
| First Race | 1:25pm ACST |
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Visit Ladbrokes |
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We are back at Pioneer Park this weekend for a six-part meeting kicking off at 1:25pm local time. HorseBetting’s NT racing expert brings you his top tips for Sunday’s action in Alice Springs.
Race 1 (1.25pm) – $18,375 Ladbrokes Mates Mode Division 1 0-58 Handicap (1200m)
Lisa hasn’t won since December last year when she made it back to back wins over 1100m (0-58), but recent form suggests that after 10 starts without success the drought could end on Sunday. The 8YO mare finished second over 1200m (0-58) on September 25 and October 16 before finishing third over 1200m (0-58) on October 29 and over 1100m (0-58) on November 20. The daughter of Kaphero rattled home two weeks ago, but was never going to catch handy pair Delago Lad and Mackinaw. Truckload Of Hoffa, who finished fifth in that same race on November 20, saluted over 1200m (0-58) on October 29 with Lisa coming third. Lisa spots Truckload Of Hoffa 4kg and that could be a factor. It might be a bit short for Chopsticks, but don’t dismiss. Lethal Encounter and Tony’s Reward must be respected, while Love To Love is backing up after winning over 1200m (Class 2) last Saturday at $26.
Best Bet
Race 1 – 
#6 Lisa (6)
8yo Mare | T: Kevin Lamprecht | J: Ianish Luximon (a3) (53kg)
$5.50 with Bet365
Race 2 (2.05pm) – $18,375 Light N Fans R Us Division 2 0-58 Handicap (1200m)
Redenzo Lad finally secured his first win on November 20 when he prevailed in a 1200m maiden in which the first four horses were separated by half a length. The 5YO gelding will be aiming to make it back to back wins in his 18th career start and in his 13th start in the Alice, but it won’t be easy. The son of Foxwedge, who has also managed a second at Tennant Creek as well as two thirds and three fourths in Alice Springs in seven other starts since March is in the mix, but he will have his hands full. Harbour Express managed two wins, a second and a third before a last start fourth over 1100m (0-58) two weeks ago. Superior Power returned from a spell last weekend and caught the eye coming fourth over 1100m (BM54). Phantom Court is back from a spell, City Jet can spring a surprise, Bold Tropic had been racing well before a last start seventh and Real Devine was a last start winner in Kununurra.
Best Bet
Race 2 – 
#1 Redenzo Lad (6)
5yo Gelding | T: Will Savage | J: Sonja Wiseman (59kg)
$2.60 with Unibet
Race 3 (2.39pm) – $18,375 Thank You ‘Barrier Staff’ Maiden Plate (1100m)
Rupert’s Delight, a $2.50 favourite, was in contention to make it a first up win on debut at Pioneer Park two weeks ago before getting the wobbles in the closing stages and finishing third in that exciting 1200m maiden won by Redenzo Lad. The 4YO gelding was only 0.3 of a length behind the winner and in all seriousness he was far from disgraced having not raced since finishing third in a 1400m maiden at Pakenham on June 3. The son of Winning Rupert, who was placed eight times in 20 starts in Victoria, will be a lot fitter this time and a 3kg claim can only help. Vega Prince is backing up once again after four straight seconds before a last start third over 1200m (Class 2) a week ago, so can he finally get that elusive win at the 15th attempt despite drawing gate eight. Iamelle and Rimrock are the next best. Danny Whizzbang, with a 4kg claim, Starlite Zebow and first starter Artie Star could upset.
Best Bet
Race 3 – #4 Rupert’s Delight (6)
4yo Gelding | T: Kevin Lamprecht | J: Ianish Luximon (a3) (59kg)
$2.60 with Bet365
Race 4 (3.09pm) – $19,425 Gallagher Insurance 0-64 Handicap (1100m)
Delago Lad has hit Alice Springs like a tsunami and although there is no such thing as a certainty it would be a shock if he didn’t make it four wins from as many starts since arriving in the Red Centre. The 5YO gelding, who managed a first, a second and a third in his first his first four starts in SA before losing his bundle has been a sensation at Pioneer Park. The son of Delago Deluxe debuted on October 29 and saluted over 1000m (BM54) at $9.50 before winning easily over 1100m (Class 2 and 0-58) in November as an odds-on favourite. Barrier six may prove a hurdle, but his five rivals will have to produce a rabbit out of the hat. In saying that Mackinaw is racing well and claims 3kg, Adoradancer has decent Darwin form, Esashi is a last start winner, Pembroke Castle has a good record in the Top End and Radio Room, who returns from a spell, didn’t do much wrong in six starts from May-August.
Best Bet
Race 4 – 
#1 Delago Lad (6)
5yo Gelding | T: Russell Bell | J: Phillip Crich (59.5kg)
$1.80 with Neds
Race 5 (3.50pm) – $18,375 JJ’s Waste Benchmark 54 Handicap (1400m)
Ginger Creek is a narrow selection in what shapes as a highly exciting affair. The 4YO gelding has had three starts in the Alice after producing above average form in Victoria and SA and has done little wrong. A first up win against the 3Y0/4YOs over 1100m (Class 2) on October 16 when the son of More Than Ready edged out Esashi was followed by a fifth over 1200m against the 3YO/4YOs (0-66) and a third over 1400m (0-64) behind the smart Kikuyu in November. A 3kg claim will benefit Ginger Creek, but he will have plenty of competition. Hard Work Rewards, with a 4kg claim, got home over 1600m (0-64) last Saturday. Mi Mijo finished second behind Hard Work Rewards a week ago, but carries an extra 3.5kg. Magnossiva is visiting from SA and has impressed on the dirt in Darwin and Queensland in 2022. At their very best Fair Go and The Chaplain are more than capable of winning.
Best Bet
Race 5 – #2 Ginger Creek (4)
4yo Gelding | T: Kevin Lamprecht | J: Ianish Luximon (a3) (58.5kg)
$4.80 with Bet365
Race 6 (4.25pm) – $21,525 Red Centre Technology Partners Benchmark 76 Handicap (1400m)
Roughly is quite simply proving unbeatable over 1400m and 1600m at present and a slashing five-length win (61kg) over 1400m in open class last Saturday suggests that a seventh win in her last 12 starts is certainly on the cards. The remarkable 10YO mare has undeniably found a new lease of life and it’s amazing to think that in her first 51 starts she had never raced beyond 1300m. The daughter of Kaphero debuted and saluted over 1400m on September 25 and then triumphed over 1600m for the first time on October 16. Another win over 1600m at the top level followed on November 5 before last weekend’s blitzkrieg over 1400m. Between those four wins, Roughly (Rating 92) has finished third over 1100m (twice) and 1200m. Bench Press, who has finished second in his past three starts, is three from three over 1400m at Pioneer Park and spots Roughly 7kg. Supreme Times has the ability and is capable of rocking the boat. Fantasy Eagle has fluctuating form, but spots Roughly 10kg with a 3kg claim. Lunch Session could make a statement after trailing Roughly in third place last weekend.
Best Bet
Race 6 – 
#1 Roughly (2)
10yo Mare | T: Paul Gardner | J: Sonja Wiseman (62kg)
$3.40 with Bet365
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